'Our Community Is A Finer Place Due to Bob Butler's Charity'

Robert L. “Bob” Butler passed away at a young 59 years of age on March 7 after an extended illness.

Mr. Butler was known around the community as a businessman who never shied away from getting involved and pitching in when help was needed.

He earned his M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and was the former owner of Allan E. Power Plumbing in LaGrange.

Mr. Butler was a long-time board member of the Greater LaGrange YMCA. He provided wise and steady leadership over the years and until recently, he was chairman of the Greater LaGrange YMCA Board, a statement on the Y’s website said.

Joan Carey, another former Y board member said:

“It wasn't until I was asked to serve on the building committee of the Rich Port Y that I discovered the main reason the doors of the Y were open was (because of) Bob Butler. It was he who was plugging the leaks in the pools and restarting the boilers at 4:30 a.m., and of course, he never mentioned anything about it to anyone. Our community is a finer place due to his charity. He will be missed.”

A cherished family man, Mr. Butler was the father of two sons, Lyle and the late Phillip, who found the time to be their Cub and Scoutmaster.

He was the former president of the Rotary Club, and Paul Harris Fellow and member of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce

In addition to his son, Mr. Butler leaves his wife of 33 years, Nancy (nee Sorce); and his siblings, Diane Butler, Bill (Sue) Butler, Susan Butler and Ed Butler.

His father, Robert Sr., who outlived him, said in his online obituary: “Your time was too short. Thank you for a good many years. I will miss you dearly! Love, Dad.”

Visitation for Mr. Butler will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St.,  Countryside.  Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. Monday, March 24 at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring, LaGrange. 

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Bob Butler Scholarship Fund c/o First National Bank of LaGrange, 620 W. Burlington, LaGrange, IL 60525.

Read the rest of Bob Butler’s obituary on the Greater LaGrange YMCA website.